I'm not sure if I read this correctly and I can't find the link anymore. But I read that bu 2012 most states will allow inmates email? Has anyone heard of this? I guess I can understand how it would work but cutting out a lof of contraband, I'm sure they would have to find a way to restrict inmates to only sending and receiving e-mail from certain people. Has anyone else heard about this?

I don't think so. To my knowledge, ALL inmates are restricted from using email. If you wish to correspond with them, you have to write them an actual letter.

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Inmates in some federal prisons have email access (a PP of mine in Otisville emails me). They can't receive pictures or attachments but are allowed text emails. They have an approved list of email addresses just like a phone or visiting list and they are limited to a certain amount of emails per week. Also I know some states allow you to email inmated through a pay per use service and the emails are printed out and distributed at mail call and the inmate can in return write letters and submit them to be scanned and emailed back (Many PA state facilities allows this).
I have not heard anything about this becoming a wide spread, universal thing but with the way technology advances I wouldn't doubt it. It would be much less expensive to invest in computer programs and cut back on manpower allowing a computer program to scan emails for things rather than having officers scanning & searching snail mail.

mattelmade,
ive not seen a link for it, but have read on another forum about inmate emails by
spring 2011, so maybe there is some truth in it?,

You never know. It sounds kind of far fetched. Especially when most states don't even want to spend the money on peanut butter sandwiches. Are they going to spend it on computers? I wouldn't hold my breath.

I'm not holding my breath that it'll happen wipespread but if you check the websites that are contracted for inmate email; PA, OR, WA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MI, TX all have facilities that particpate as well as many BOP facilities so I wouldn't totally count it out. I would assume if they were gonna offer email then they would put into effect some rule about banning snail mail and would close the mail room altogether. Hiring one IT person to over see the email system and .

(oops I didn't finish) call it a day...

Here's an interesting link regarding email and prison.



ND prison system to offer e-mail for inmates: Associated Press Business News - MSN Money

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The article Officer Peanut posted sounds about right. I would think the emails would be for family and lawyers more then people like us as pen pals.

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